FRACKING FOIBLES


Fracking Foibles


Fracking is simply a stimulation process whereby fluids are forced into an oil formation surrounding a well bore. When this forced fluid gets to measured fractured inclination the rock divides and the fluid continues its journey. Usually, pressurized water, sand and some chemicals are pumped into shale rock formations to disengage and released gagged natural gas. This process was first used in Hugoton, Kansas. Since then it has had names like fracturing, fracking and, or hydraulic fracturing.


This drilling method has had some environmental downsides. Environmentalist claim that fracking pollutes rivers and waters, produces flammable water, exudes radiation and even change quiet farmlands into boisterous industrial locations. Complaints of breathing-related problems, nauseated feelings, cancer and headaches have been noted by those living in communities where this drilling process takes place. These pose a problem to the health of the population or community in which such oil and gas drilling procedure occurs. Opposition to fracking seems to be on the increase in developed countries rather than the under-developed nations. This calls for awareness in the oil producing developing nations.

In Wyoming, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reported an incident of groundwater contamination with chemicals and fracturing additives. These groundwater contamination was discovered about 372 metres down where the locals fetch water. In Texas, some of these groundwater contaminants are further pushed down the soil thereby causing ripples underneath. In 2011, Texas has also passed a chemical disclosure law with exception for trade secrets. Colorado has started air emissions regulations from fracturing operations.

Given these succinct scenarios in the US? What is the hope for developing countries where oil and gas exploration has remained exploitation? What is the hope of oil producing countries in third world countries where legislatures have no balls to pass laws and regulations that will guide against putting the health of its people in jeopardy? Is their a role for the World Health Organization (WHO) or even Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in ensuring that the health of the communities are protected and ensured? Given the fact that over 90% of vertical and horizontal oil and gas wells in the US employ some form of hydraulic fracturing, what is the hope of the population where fracturing operations take place in ensuring that their waters are not contaminated and air emitted are not polluted?


References

Berman, M.L. (2011). From health care reform to public health reform. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 328-339.
Edwards, J., John, S.J., & Travis, O. (2011). Government studies may determine the future of fracking regulation. Energy Litigation Journal, 11 (1).
Linda, M. (2011). Fracking nation. Discover 32 (4).
Linda, M. (2012). Worries: Methane leaks, radioactive water. Discover 33 (1).
Peter, A. (2012). Drilling into the unknown. New Scientist, 213 (2849).
White, K.H. (2011). The fracas about fracking. National Review, 38-41.


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